Pro Cyclocross Rumors and Rumblings – May 7, 2009

A relatively slow week in the world of Cyclocross but here’s a few gems from your favorite riders: Tour of the Gila attracts top talent, Marianne Vos keeps on ticking, Americans at Houffalize World Cup, Driscoll wins Jiminy Peak Road Race

Tour of the Gila Brings Out Some Cyclocross Stars

Davide Frattini was the best placed cyclocross male at the Sram Tour o the Gila, taking home a solid 14th place GC finish, behind some of the biggest names in the business – Levi Leipheimer and that Lance fellow from Texas. Frattini, the Colavita Sutter Home captain, rode to an excellent 11th on the tour’s final stage, and also set up the team’s Sprinter, Sebastian Haedo to a stage victory in stage two and a runner up finish in stage four. U23 ace Bjorn Selander was also on hand for the Tour of the Gila, riding for the Trek-Livestrong U23 team, led by Lance Armstrong. He put in an excellent performance against some of the biggest names in the business, taking home 23rd place, 13:21 behind Leipheimer. Tim Johnson, working in support of his Team OUCH teammates, rode to 51st spot overall.

On the women’s side of things, U23 national champion Amy Dombroski had a strong top 30 finish, taking home 25th place, notching a 6th place finish in the tour’s final stage to highlight her week. Kelli Emmet was a few steps higher than Dombroski, taking home 21st overall on GC.

Christel Ferrier-Bruneau Takes 9th at Trophée des Grimpeurs

French cyclocross star Christel Ferrier-Bruneau took home a solid 9th place finish at the Trophée des Grimpeurs in Argenteuil, France. Bruneau was a slim 2:08 behind ageless wonder Jeanie Longo, who outpaced the field by 53 seconds, more than one second for each of the years she’s been alive.

What Would the Week Be Without a Marianne Vos Update

The reigning women’s World Cyclocross Champion was at it again, this time at the Gracia – Orlová stage race in the Czech Republic. Marianne Vos started things off with a bang, taking home victory in the opening stage, a 105.5 kilometer ride from Detmarovice to Štramberk. Vos outpaced Trixi Worrack and Fabiana Luperini to take home victory.

Stage two saw Worrack take the leader’s jersey from off the shoulders of Vos, as a break containing Luperini and Worrack grabbed a lead of 2:20 over Vos, who finished first out of a second chase group, but only fourth on the day. The day’s victory in the 125.8 kilometer ride was Luperini who managed to outsprint Worrack for the win. Stage three was the race’s time trial event, an 18 kilometer affair in the town of Kuznia Raciborska. Vos again was only able to manage 4th place, 44 second behind American winner Amber Neben. Worrack was again able to get the better of Vos, conceding only 9 second to Neben and gaining more ground on Vos.

Stage four covered 66.7 kilometers between the towns of Czechowice and Legionow. Vos again was unable to take victory, but managed another top 10 finish on the day, taking second in the sprint out of the peloton. Vos took 8th on the day, 1:06 behind the stage’s winner Ina Teutenberg. Vos was again inside the top 10, finishing 7th on the 100.2 kilometer final stage that left from Orlová and finished in the same place. On the back never finishing outside of the top 8, Vos came away with 3rd place on GC, as well as the race’s Points Jersey.

A Rough Day For American Cyclocross at the Houffalize Mountain Bike World Cup

The day’s top Cyclocross finisher at the Houffalize Mountain Bike World Cup was part time rider Adam Craig, who took home 29th, 7:06 behind eventual winner Julien Absalon. Behind him, Canadian Geoff Kabush, who took home an 8th place finish at the previous World Cup stop, suffered from crashes and mechanical issues that set him a good ways back from the starting position his prior results had owned him. After a crash damaged his wheel, he was forced to stop and change the wheel, costing him valuable time. Kabush finally finished up in 45th place. Also of note was Barry Wicks, one lap down in 161st place. International ‘crossers didn’t fare much better, with young U23 Italian Cristian Cominelli in 37th and Worlds silver medalist, Czech Zdenek Stybar finishing an even 100th place. Perhaps these guys have their sights set on bigger results on skinny tires in the fall.

Georgia Gould continued her climb up the World Cup Mountain Bike ranks, improving on her 12th place finish from the week prior, taking home 11th place in Houffalize. Gould now sits at 24th place on the overall World Cup standings, assuring her better starting positions than she has been currently given. That should equate to even better results in the weeks to come.

Matt Shriver Unretires for a Day and Wins Chalk Creek Stampede

Matt Shriver took a break from the retired life when he showed up in Nathrop, Colorado and proceeded to take home victory in the Mountain States Cup Chalk Creek Stampede Mountain Bike race. Shriver won with a comfortable margin over two collegiate ‘cross racers: Division 2 Collegiate Cyclocross National Champion Colin Cares, 50 seconds back in second, and Benjamin Sonntag, silver medalist in the Division 1 Collegiate Cyclocross National Championships, 1:55 off the pace in third.

Plenty of ‘Cross Talent on Display at Jiminy Peak Road Race

Jamey Driscoll took home his first win of the season as a member of Rock Racing when he crossed the finish line in a sprint victory over Bikereg/Cannondale’s Eric Schildge at the Jiminy Peak Road Race in Hancock, Massachusetts. Driscoll took the win out of a lead group of seven riders. Behind the sprint, Justin Spinelli crossed the line in 8th, 46 seconds back. A little while later, world championship team member Nick Keough, led home a group of 6 riders, taking home 10th place. Other cyclocross riders who showed their face at Jiminy Peak included Matt White (16th), Jeremy Powers (17th), Nate Ward (19th) and Justin Lindine (22nd).

Wondering what your favorite mudders have been up to? Doing your homework so you can win Cyclocross Magazine’s fantasy cyclocross league next season? We’ve got you covered with our new, weekly report on your favorite top ‘crossers. Each week Jake Sisson will bring you the latest news, gossip, and maybe even a tweet or two on the pro scene. This is installment #7. Installment #6 is here. Got something worth reporting? Let us know.

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